ALT ART Returns in 2026 With Expanded Exhibitions and New Programs

When ALT ART opens its doors in February 2026, it will do so at a much larger scale than its previous iterations. Taking over the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, the fourth edition marks the fair’s most ambitious chapter yet—one that reflects both the growth of the initiative and the expanding appetite for contemporary Philippine art.

Open to the public from February 13 to 15, ALT ART 2026 doubles its exhibition footprint from its 2024 edition. Walls will rise as high as five meters, allowing for more expansive installations and museum-scale presentations. The move to SMX Convention Center also signals a shift toward greater accessibility, drawing in audiences beyond the usual art-world circuit.

Organized by the ALT Collective, the awardee of Robb Report Philippines’ Best of the Best Art Collective, the fair brings together nine of the country’s leading galleries—Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, and West Gallery. Together, they present a cross-section of practices that span generations, mediums, and artistic positions.

A defining feature of ALT ART has been its Special Projects, with each gallery mounting a focused, often experimental exhibition. This year’s lineup includes works by Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, Buen Calubayan, Julie Lluch in dialogue with Kiri Dalena and Ben Brixx, Raffy Napay, MM Yu, Kolown with Christina Lopez, Mauro “Malang” Santos, Lesley-Ann Cao, and Iwan Effendi—artists whose practices reflect the breadth of contemporary discourse in the Philippines.

New to the 2026 edition is the Discoveries Section, a curated platform dedicated to artists whose work deserves wider attention.

“The Discoveries Program is a platform for artists who we think deserve to garner more attention. Some of these artists are not new, but we feel we have a long journey ahead. The program is also a reminder that with the fast paced turnover of attention, it is a good way for us to step back and slow things down a bit,” explains Jay Amante of Blanc. The initiative responds to what organizers describe as the rapid churn of visibility in today’s art ecosystem. By carving out space for sustained looking, the program seeks to slow the pace and encourage deeper engagement. The inaugural group includes JC Mariategue, Jomari T’leon, Joar Songcuya, Allyza Tresvalles, Eric Bico, Gelo Cinco, Joanolasco, Rhaz Oriente, and Marco Ortiga.

“New highlights lead to new interests which lead to new conversations. We aim to bridge the gap between what is established, and what is to be discovered,” adds Mawen Ong of MO_Space.

Presented by BDO Private Bank with special support from Nagaraya, ALT ART 2026 is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at PHP 500 for general admission and PHP 250 for students. More information is available at altphilippines.com and via @altphilippines on Instagram and Facebook.